Windows 2000 Software

System Requirements

Here are the minimum system requirements for running:

Windows Me
  • SVGA Monitor (*VGA monitor)
  • Pentium II 300MHz processor or better (*Pentium 150 MHz)
  • 64MB of RAM (*32MB)
  • 2GB free hard-disk space (*295MB)
  • DVD-ROM drive (*CD-ROM)
  • DVD decoder card or software (DVD option)
  • 56.6 Kbs modem or faster with current Internet connection (Windows Movie Maker option)
  • Pentium-compatible or equivalent TV tuner card (WebTV option)
  • ActiveSync 3.0 or higher (Windows CE option)
  • Windows CE 2.11 or greater (Windows CE option)
  • Windows Media Player for Palm-sized PC (Windows CE option)
  • CompactFlash or SmartMedia readers and media (Windows Portable Digital Device option)
  • Good quality microphone (Windows Movie Maker option)
  • Video capture device (Windows Movie Maker option)
  • Sound card
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
* Indicates system requirements for Windows Me without the optional features specified.
Windows® 2000 Professional
  • 133 MHz or higher Pentium-compatible CPU.
  • 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM recommended minimum; more memory generally improves responsiveness.
  • 2GB hard disk with a minimum of 650MB of free space.
  • Windows 2000 Professional supports single and dual CPU systems.
Windows 2000 Server
  • 133 MHz or higher Pentium-compatible CPU.
  • 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM recommended minimum [128 MB minimum supported; 4 gigabytes (GB) maximum].
  • 2 GB hard disk with a minimum of 1.0 GB free space. (Additional free hard disk space is required if you are installing over a network.)
  • Windows 2000 Server supports up to four CPUs on one machine.
Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • 133 MHz or higher Pentium-compatible CPU.
  • 256 MB of RAM recommended minimum (128 MB minimum supported; 8 GB maximum).
  • 2 GB hard disk with a minimum of 1.0 GB free space. (Additional free hard disk space is required if you are installing over a network.)
  • Windows 2000 Advanced Server supports up to eight CPUs on one machine.
Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • 8-way capable or higher server (supports up to 32-way).*
  • Pentium III Xeon processors or higher.
  • 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM recommended.
  • 2 gigabyte (GB) hard disk with a minium of 1 GB free space. (Additional free hard disk space is required if you are installing over a network.)
  • CD-ROM or DVD drive.
  • VGA or higher resolution monitor.

* Note: Fault-tolerant system configurations are required to have at least 8 processors within the hardware solution.

Windows 2000
Edition		 Description Estimated
Street Price
Professional This upgrade to NT Workstation is Microsoft's workhorse OS for business desktops and notebooks.Has a huge appetite for hardware, but is more secure and reliable than any previous Windows version. $319 new; $149 upgrade from NT Workstation; $219 to upgrade from Windows 98 or 95.
Server Basic file and print sharing, with an award-winning Web server tossed in for good measure. Ideal for small businesses and departments.Can scale up to use as many as four CPUs in a single machine. $999; $499 upgrade from NT Server; includes 5 client access licenses (CALs); $899 upgrade includes 25 CALs
Advanced Server Server on steroids, for large networks and e-commerce applications. By using multiple servers (up to 8 CPUs each), you can keep the network chugging along even when one server crashes. $3,999; $3,599 upgrade from NT Server or $1,999 upgrade from NT Server 4.0, Enterprise Edition; includes 25 CALs
DataCenter Server Microsoft's ambitious attempt to build a mainframe killer -- a massive OS designed to run mission-critical business applications like airline reservation systems.Due mid-year. TBD. But if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Now you've got a better idea of which version might work for you, and you're thinking of upgrading. What can you look forward to?